Death Toll In Nepal Earthquake Crosses 900
25 April, Kathmandu
Over 900 people have been killed and many more injured in a major earthquake in Nepal today. The first quake was followed by over a dozen aftershocks measuring over 5 on the Richter scale from many parts of the country.
Nepal Police spokesperson Kamal Singh Ban said that the death toll was recorded as 900 this evening. The number of injured admitted in various hospitals in Kathmandu is over 400.
The quake and its aftershocks have affected 29 of the country’s 75 districts with Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre and Sindhupalchowk recording the maximum casualties. Two persons have been killed in the Everest Base Camp and 10 others injured.
Hundreds of climbers are at present in the base camp to prepare for their climbs next month. According to National Seismological Centre, the first quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck around noon. The epicenter has been recorded as Gorkha, some 140 km west of the capital Kathmandu.
Two major aftershocks, one measuring 6.6 and another 5.8 on the Richter scale took place in Gorkha and Rasuwa within 40 minutes of the first quake.
Many houses and heritage buildings have been damaged in Kathmandu and its sister towns of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. There have been reports of damage from other parts of the country as well. One of Kathmandu’s prominent historical sites, the Dharahara Tower, a 203 feet tall structure erected in 1832, has been completely destroyed. Over 55 people who were inside the tower are feared dead.
Home Ministry spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said that personnel have been mobilized across the country to help in rescue and relief work. The number of deaths could increase, He informed that doctors and para-medical teams have also been deployed to help injured and those trapped in buildings.
Dhakal said there is an atmosphere of fear across the country and people are staying in open spaces due to the aftershocks. He said aftershocks are still being felt in Kathmandu Valley and people have gathered in open spaces and not entered their houses as the aftershocks continue even after three hours of the first major quake.
Emergency meeting of Nepal cabinet declared all areas struck by today’s earthquake as disaster affected and set aside a sum of 50 crore rupees to the Prime Minister’s relief fund for immediate rescue and relief work.